Ariel Arce

Ariel Arce is a New York-based hospitality entrepreneur and founder behind concepts including Tokyo Record Bar, Pearl Box Townhouse, Roscioli NYC, Big Pearl Caviar, and Leonessa. She previously created and led Air’s Champagne Parlor, Niche Niche, and Special Club, building each around her passions for wine, music, and convivial dining. Born and raised in Hell’s Kitchen and originally trained as a professional actor, she brings a theatrical sensibility to her spaces, grounded in a belief that going out should foster authentic human connection and deliver real value. Arce honed her craft in Chicago with Michelin-starred chef Grant Achatz and as a Champagne specialist at Pops before returning to New York to launch the restaurant, Birds & Bubbles, and later her first solo venture at 28. A published author of Better with Bubbles and a consultant on projects including Hilton’s Conrad property, she has been recognized by The New York Times, Vogue, Wine Enthusiast, and Eater as a leading voice in the modern dining scene.